Details of the Prelude 7.1 remain scarce, as the product isn’t scheduled to launch until next month. Creative Labs’ X-Fi initially launched with hardware acceleration, however, the latest X-Fi XtremeAudio lacks hardware acceleration, even while carrying the X-Fi name. It is unknown which X-Fi audio processor the Prelude 7.1 integrates.

The EAX/Vista problem is Microsoft's fault. EAX used DirectSound and MS took DirectSound out of Vista. EAX will never work again in Vista. I think Creative is being very resourceful in making the OpenAL wrappers for older games. I also don't think they're being slow in driver development; they just got a late start. Rewriting the sound drivers from scratch is a bit of work.

No, its CL fault for not working with Microsoft on the new audio stack. All the other audio manufacturers contributed to UAA, CL decided to do their own thing because they couldn't skew the standard in their favor.